NFL stadium construction: What’s building now and what’s next
When people talk about NFL Stadium Construction, they often think about renderings and seat counts. The reality is more operational, including sequencing work around football seasons, funding mechanisms, and multi stakeholder approvals. Below is a practical, link backed overview of the biggest NFL Stadium Construction efforts, what is under construction, what is approved, and what is still in flux, so you can track timelines and risk.
Under construction: Bills, Titans, Jaguars (renovation)
Buffalo Bills, new Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, NY)
The Bills replacement stadium across from the current site remains targeted for substantial completion in summer 2026 so it can host the 2026 home schedule. The team’s project page still cites that schedule to be on track, even as local reporting flagged a September crane incident that project leaders say they are working through. The state’s forensic schedule analysis has referenced December 1, 2026 as a completion date, but the working plan continues to aim for opening during the 2026 season. For NFL Stadium Construction watchers, the takeaway is that “substantial completion” and “final completion” are not the same milestone. This difference could potentially push back timelines to the 2027 season.
Tennessee Titans, new enclosed Nissan Stadium (Nashville, TN)
The Titans and their construction management team, the Tennessee Builders Alliance, are pacing toward 2027 opening, with frequent construction updates published. In addition to the stadium, surrounding infrastructure upgrades are underway to incorporate the new venue into the city’s riverfront. As a ground up, enclosed building, Nashville is one of the flagship NFL Stadium Construction jobs in this cycle, large, complex, and blended into one of the best spots in the city.
Jacksonville Jaguars, “Stadium of the Future” (Jacksonville, FL)
Jacksonville’s project is a major renovation rather than a new build, which changes sequencing. The plan calls for reduced capacity in 2026, with the team playing home games away from Jacksonville in 2027 before reopening. As a team that has always welcomed playing in other venues and abroad, this will be less of a shift than it would be for other organizations. Renovation while operating is new to NFL Stadium Construction, with tight windows, partial closures, and temporary home sites.
Approved or greenlit: Washington, Carolina
Washington Commanders, RFK site (Washington, DC)
Approved. In mid September 2025, the D.C. Council gave final approval for the Commanders RFK site project, part of a 3.7 to 3.8 billion dollar redevelopment that returns the team to DC by 2030. Expect site work to be staged next to other developments in the historic DC neighborhood of Anacostia. This is the first fully green lit NFL Stadium Construction in DC in a long time and possesses a large public/private investment.
Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium renovation (Charlotte, NC)
Approved. Charlotte City Council approved a significant renovation package, commonly cited around 800 million dollars, to modernize Bank of America Stadium and keep the team in Uptown Charlotte. Subsequent steps, including rezoning, continue to move through city processes. For construction stakeholders, the timing of the project is anticipated to go from 2025 to 2029. This is another example of stadium modernization instead of a new build. Something that is becoming more common in stadium construction across all sports.
In flux or active proposals: Bears, Chiefs, Broncos
Chicago Bears, Arlington Heights dome (Arlington Heights, IL)
After a year of alternatives, the Bears formally refocused on their Arlington Heights site. In early September, the team sent a letter to fans reaffirming the plan, and in late September released new renderings and economic analysis for the fixed roof and a ~60,000 seat concept. The project now depends on securing an infrastructure framework with the state and village. For NFL Stadium Construction watchers, that means preconstruction design and legislative timelines will drive when shovels hit the ground. It is one of the highest profile NFL Stadium Construction proposals in one of the sport’s biggest markets. The new stadium is unique in that it will be domed, suburban, and incorporated into a larger project on a 300 acre site.
Kansas City Chiefs, Missouri renovation versus Kansas new build (KC Metro)
After Jackson County voters rejected a sales tax extension in April 2024, funding options for the project had to quickly shift and the complexity of having two states in the market allowed the team to find the best project circumstance. Kansas is pushing to land the new stadium as they expanded and extended STAR bond options, helping push continuing conversations about a new stadium on the Kansas side of the border. The situation remains fluid with no firm decisions yet made. Missouri renovation and Kansas financing routes are both still on the table.
Denver Broncos, Burnham Yard (Denver, CO)
In September 2025, the Broncos, Denver, and the State of Colorado named the Burnham Yard railyard as the preferred site for a privately funded retractable roof stadium that would anchor a new district in downtown Denver with shops, restaurants and other businesses folded into the larger project. Having the richest owners in the NFL - the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group - removes the burden of new taxes and public funding. Privately funded NFL stadiums on this scale are rare.
Timeline snapshot at a glance
2026 season: Bills target opening with substantial completion, then finish out remaining work. Jaguars play at reduced capacity in 2026.
2027 season: Titans open the new stadium. Jaguars play the 2027 home slate elsewhere before returning.
2028 to 2030: Jaguars reopen post renovation. Commanders project targets 2030 in D.C.
Early 2030s: Broncos aim to advance Burnham Yard. Bears seek approvals to start in Arlington Heights. Chiefs site and finance outcome to be determined.
What to watch next, construction point of view
1) Procurement visibility. The Titans project portal centralizes bid packages and updates. One of the biggest unknowns is the ability to tap into skilled trades. If this can be done reasonably, the stadium will go off as planned. Any labor delays could delay the whole project. Bills and Jacksonville are farther along in the process, but labor questions can still move opening dates.
2) Seasonal sequencing. The uniqueness regarding stadium builds is that teams have firm deadlines for the start of the season and home openers. This comes down from the NFL, so teams that are leaning on renovations are not able to continue work throughout the season. Additionally, the offseason runs from early January depending on the teams playoff participation, making some of the months in colder markets like Chicago and Kansas City, difficult.
3) Financing and governance. Washington is past the political hurdle. Chicago and Kansas City are in legislative lanes where a single vote can reset schedules. Denver must convert “preferred site” into land control and entitlements before true preconstruction ramps. Each stadium is at a different stage in its development and many things can derail these projects including politics, funding and worker availability.
Final word
Stadium construction in general is very difficult to thread the needle between politics, funding and timelines. All of these stadiums are massive projects that require thousands of craft workers to pull off once ground is finally broken. Successful projects can be a huge boon to the local economy, but with so many pieces to juggle before a final product is ready, challenges are always a concern.
